We chose this cruise because it was my first holiday in 10 years and we didn’t want to take any chances so we went for the best.
The evening after I booked the trip (not yet paid in full) I did more research on the Spirit only to ... Read More

We chose this cruise because it was my first holiday in 10 years and we didn’t want to take any chances so we went for the best.
The evening after I booked the trip (not yet paid in full) I did more research on the Spirit only to find that she was being cut in half and lengthened and that we were on the first cruise following the work. We called both our agent and Silversea the following morning to express our concerns. They reassured us several times that the ship would be perfect so we went ahead and paid for the holiday based on this reassurance.
The ship was far from perfect.We had no lights in our bathroom, walk in closet or passageway, no phone, no tv, no safe, no air con. The Arts Cafe and Silver Note didn’t open until the 4th evening of the cruise. There were teams of workmen on and off the ship, welding cylinders left in public areas, whole sections closed off at the stern, grout splashed around the deck, masking tape around the lights etc. The ship simply was not finished and should never have sailed in that state. Some of our faults were fixed on the fourth day, some not at all. The ship had just not been fully tested and certainly shouldn’t have had paying passengers on it the state she was in.
The only remedy offered by Silversea was 2 led nightlights to help us find the toilet. They had no spare cabins (despite people telling us that wasn’t true) so we were given no choice but to put up with it. The crew were entirely overwhelmed by the problems. We also had other problems with crew incompetence with the tenders entirely messing up another day for us and the spa firstly messing up our bookings, then losing them completely then overcharging on both appointments, one by over $100.
To add insult to injury the Captain was making a joke of it and thanking us for testing out his ship for him. I Was also introduced at one point to the fleet manager and when he was told I’d had a lot of problems he said nothing, turned and walked away.
Whilst onboard every passenger, regardless of their level of inconvenience were offered 25% of the fare paid as a future cruise credit.
We were promised a call from Silversea within a couple of days of returning home. That didnt happen.
I called them and was promised an initial response within 48 hours. That didn’t happen.
I Called again and was promised again a response within 48 hours. That didn’t happen.
I emailed Frank Sansone. I’m still awaiting a response.
I Spoke to somebody in the Miami office and she told me she would pass it upwards. I emailed her the following week for an update only to find that she had blocked my email address. I have since been dealing with Peter Shanks, who despite being told that we will not be sailing with Silversea again insists that a future cruise credit is more than generous.
I paid for our ultra luxury cruise in good faith. An ultra luxury cruise is certainly not what we received and Silverseas refusal to deal with our complaints in a reasonable manner has been unbelievable.
On a more positive note, the crew were trying very hard but should never have been placed in that position.
The food onboard was generally excellent apart from the lobster in pea soup main course in la dame and the fact that they can’t cook a pizza in Spacanopoli.
So cruisers beware! If I had known how poor the management of this company was before I paid for this holiday I would never have booked with them.
I have held off from writing this review as I wanted to give Silversea every opportunity to put things right which I gladly would have included in my review. It’s glaringly obvious now after 2 months, dozens of phone calls an emails that they have no intention of doing so. Read Less

We were the first cruise passengers on after the big stretch!
This cruise was Rome to Barcelona, taking in Portofino, Cannes, Porto Vechio, Corsica,Livorno, and Marseille
We checked in as expected, at about 2pm suites would usually ... Read More

We were the first cruise passengers on after the big stretch!
This cruise was Rome to Barcelona, taking in Portofino, Cannes, Porto Vechio, Corsica,Livorno, and Marseille
We checked in as expected, at about 2pm suites would usually be ready but were not, finishing touches being made so got in about 3.30pm
Nice suite no. 757 some problems, the safe did not work or TV or phone. Adjoining door to next suite was unlocked.
Didn't see butler till late, explained problems
Unlike previous cruises with Silversea- no champagne on ice on arrival.
Butler was very pleasant when we met him properly, he stocked our fridge with our choice of wine.
As we explored the ship work was still going on to finish the Arts Cafe and the Silver Note restaurant.
They were complete the next day.
Booked the premium restaurant La Dame, service was very slow.
I complained as you pay extra for this meal and it certainly was not up to Silversea standards.
They did however waive the surcharge.
Having said all this the ship is beautiful, they maybe needed a couple more days to finish everything, we enjoyed the experience and would sail with them again. Read Less

We travelled Barcelona to Rome in November on Silver Spirit we did this cruise to catch the last of sunshine in the med.
We started in Barcelona and ended in Rome
The embarkation in Barcelona was seamless a perfect start.
The main ... Read More

We travelled Barcelona to Rome in November on Silver Spirit we did this cruise to catch the last of sunshine in the med.
We started in Barcelona and ended in Rome
The embarkation in Barcelona was seamless a perfect start.
The main ports of interest were Malta (arriving by sea was majestic) and both sides of Siciily
The ship we have sailed in before and were not disappointed. We had a Silver suite and were looked after so well by butler and steward.
The food was excellent in main dining room and La Terazza and we loved Hot Rocks where you cook your own food on the deck, so entertaining even if if the weather is not so good!
Having also recently travelled on Silver Muse who no longer have a main dining room,
we prefer the dining arrangements on Silver Spirit
The entertainment was really good especially a visit by Il Vollo which was turned into theatre plus gala dinner. The three singers gave a first class performance which brought the house down
Will be booking another Silver Seas cruise soon Read Less

My second cruise with silversea. I found the silver shadow far more engaging. My first day onboard was a put off in that I didn't find it either welcoming or friendly. As it's only a 4 day stint I have a gut feeling that many of ... Read More

My second cruise with silversea. I found the silver shadow far more engaging. My first day onboard was a put off in that I didn't find it either welcoming or friendly. As it's only a 4 day stint I have a gut feeling that many of the staff took the foot of the peddle. Other than the cabin staff and waiter in the section of The main restaurant I ate in every day the word that best describes most I encountered was disinterested.
The experience on silver shadow prompted this short journey as it was absolutely fantastic. I had no hesitation booking 2 further cruises with them next year, however if not for the fact that I am committed to flights for both journeys I would think again. The inconsistency in service levels between both ships indicated that some of the service personnel on this vessel choose to take a little downtime.
Cabin and food excellent, linens bathroom superb. Glad it is undergoing a makeover public areas are a bit tired Read Less

This was a short trial first time with Silversea.The weather was bad so Marseille was deleted and 2 of the 4 days were spent in Livorno. No can blame Silversea for the weather but though we were stuck in this predicament they did not put ... Read More

This was a short trial first time with Silversea.The weather was bad so Marseille was deleted and 2 of the 4 days were spent in Livorno. No can blame Silversea for the weather but though we were stuck in this predicament they did not put on any entertainment during the day and the ship was really cold due to the gangways being open to the elements.
The suite was great and generally well kept .I didn’t need the butler who in any case had to service about 25 people.
The service was patchy particularlyly slow at times and seemed poorly managed.Im an HR guy and. I felt the staff seemed poorly motivated.It was far from 6 star .
The food was good sometimes really good particularly in the main reseat night and the Asian restaurant at lunchtime.
The buffet at breakfast and lunch was poor the selection was very ordinary again far from 6 star. Nothing exciting or novel and presentation was like a school cafeteria.The ship is having a complete refit next year but that should make them want to put more effort into the food not less.
All in all the view of many first timers was that at the prices they charge normally it wouldn’t be a good buy.
It obviously has its loyal fans those I met being elderly who don’t want activities better gyms or more lectures or shows .
In 4 nights we had 2 45 minute excellent shows there were some piano and jazz cabaret type performances but they didn’t appeal to me.
The solo cruise hostess was outstanding. Read Less

We went last December to the Caribbean with Silverseas and after having a wonderful holiday we decided to go with Silverseas again. We were not disappointed. The service on board the ship was brilliant. All the staff are so friendly, ... Read More

We went last December to the Caribbean with Silverseas and after having a wonderful holiday we decided to go with Silverseas again. We were not disappointed. The service on board the ship was brilliant. All the staff are so friendly, polite and helpful. Dining was a real pleasure as the food served in all the restaurants was first class. Our butler was really good, since nothing was too much trouble. Our cabin was spacious, luxurious and always spotless and our large bed was deliciously comfortable, so sleeping was a real pleasure.
The entertainment provided by the ‘Voices of Silverseas’ were excellent. They provided two high quality shows. I would have like to see them perform on at least one other day, but sadly they were not available. Claudette was excellent on the piano during the evenings as were the jazz duo in the Stars Lounge after 11pm. Our holiday expectations were certainly fulfilled. Read Less

We have cruised to various locations, cruise lines but with a range of experiences. We chose Silversea for the smaller ships but luxurious suites & service offered. What a disappointment. We booked the best part of a year ago in a ... Read More

We have cruised to various locations, cruise lines but with a range of experiences. We chose Silversea for the smaller ships but luxurious suites & service offered. What a disappointment. We booked the best part of a year ago in a guaranteed V1 category. We received our tickets 10 days before sailing & were allocated a disabled suite. We complained to our tour operator immediately but were told the ship was fully booked. There was no bath or walk-in wardrobe as advertised. The door was automatic & took several seconds to open & close which meant that we were fully exposed to people passing by our suite for up to 10 seconds. We specifically chose Silver Spirit for the bath & our travel agent knew this. The food was always cold & the service hit & miss. We waited one and a half hours for breakfast in the restaurant. We could not sail to Marseille due to poor weather conditions but there was no plan B on the ship. As a result we spent 2 very boring days in Livorno. Entertainment was good when provided but only offered on 2 nights. Staff were disinterested & we discovered that this was the final Mediterranean cruise before the ship headed off to warmer climates in Middle East. Maybe that's why they couldn't be bothered. Overall the worst cruise we have ever been on & twice the cost!!! Read Less

My husband always wanted to go to Sicily and I always wanted to go to Sardinia, and this was perfect way to see both without having to plan it ourselves. The service on the ship was fantastic, the staff was exceptional. The only negatives ... Read More

My husband always wanted to go to Sicily and I always wanted to go to Sardinia, and this was perfect way to see both without having to plan it ourselves. The service on the ship was fantastic, the staff was exceptional. The only negatives were the pool was ridiculously small, because the weather was beautiful and after a day exploring, it was nice to come back to the ship and sit by the pool. Also the evening entertainment was fair, I expected a much better quality than what was offered. The exception was a wonderful piano bar singer and piano player.
I also felt the ship's decor was dated and expected it to be much more modern and sleeker.
As far as ports, we would have liked to spend more time in Siracusa, and less time in Livorno. It was too much time spent there, having been to Florence several times in the past. Read Less

I read every cruise critic review before we left and was a little concerned. Frankly, I think the negative reviews are wrong. Our service was outstanding every step of the way. Every crew member greeted us warmly. Our butler did a ... Read More

I read every cruise critic review before we left and was a little concerned. Frankly, I think the negative reviews are wrong. Our service was outstanding every step of the way. Every crew member greeted us warmly. Our butler did a great job with every detail requested.
The food was delicious and beautifully presented. We only ate in the main dining room and LaTerraza....both were great. We loved the lunch buffet in LaTerraza....so many choices. We ate dinner in the room on two evenings....course by course....beautifully presented and very warm. After a long day touring, it was fun to take a break and have dinner in our bathrobes!
The health club is adequate and is never crowded. We lounged by the pool one afternoon...again, very quiet and relaxing! They also made a huge fuss over my 60th birthday with room decorations and a surprise carrot cake (my favorite).
This ship is very well run. Embarkation took 2 minutes. Disembarkation was just as smooth. Getting on and off in every port was seamless. SilverSea does everything they can to make your vacation incredible. I will always choose SilverSea! Read Less

We chose this cruise because Silver Sea is one of several cruise 5-star luxury cruise lines and we liked the itinerary (and our friends asked us to join them). While the cruise was very good overall, we felt that some of the ... Read More

We chose this cruise because Silver Sea is one of several cruise 5-star luxury cruise lines and we liked the itinerary (and our friends asked us to join them). While the cruise was very good overall, we felt that some of the "rules" were rigid and the staff, while anxious to please, often wasn't well trained. On several occasions, we were told that the specialty dining room was sold out. We showed up anyhow and the room was always half empty! A pity for the staff that had to prepare the meals. Apparently, there were "no shows." While I don't believe in extra charges, I think there should have been a charge if someone confirmed a reservation and then didn't show, denying it to someone else. There wasn't a good explanation of the wi-fi scheme and maybe it should have been included in the "all-inclusive" rate. Our one free hour ran out because we weren't told that we had to log out. At the end of the cruise, there was a charge for wi-fi but it couldn't be removed, because the computers were closed. That should have been the time when the bills should have been resolved. There seemed to be a lot of excuses like that. The ship's common areas were a little bit dated. We learned that it is going in for a retrofit in March. I guess it is common on cruises but there was always someone trying to sell you something: art, shoe inserts, you name it. The excursions were priced about 50-75% above what I was able to arrange on my own (I guess that's typical). Read Less

This was my 23rd cruise as a single with Silversea and my 9th cruise on Silver Spirit since its debut in 2009.although I have cruised with other lines I have always much enjoyed cruises with Silversea and the superb service together with ... Read More

This was my 23rd cruise as a single with Silversea and my 9th cruise on Silver Spirit since its debut in 2009.although I have cruised with other lines I have always much enjoyed cruises with Silversea and the superb service together with top class food and a very friendly efficient,professional crew.
I boarded smoothly and quickly at Civitavecchia and the first week visited Livorno,Monte Carlo,Antibes,Marseilles and Barcelona.The second cruise visited Ibiza,Cartagena,Malaga,Gibraltar,Cadiz and Portimao and I finished by flying home from Lisbon.I tend not to book the excursions preferring to have a walk in the ports of call each morning and then spend the afternoon relaxing in the private thermal suite of the Spa.o
The ship had about 500 guests and nearly the ratio of one to one with the crew.There is much public space on this good looking,clean ship although do not expect much arranged entertainment on board:the afternoon feature the enjoyable Trivia Quiz and this is followed by a golf putting competition for prize points,which can be changed at the end of the cruis for small gifts.I did the morning Silver Quiz sheet available in the extensive Library and IT area.
The evening entertainment included shows presented by the six Voices of Silversea:I enjoyed the Opera show best of all.
I always had the same single table in the main restaurant and had the same waiter who got to know your preferences quickly.I was invited to dine with the Captain on the second week and also enjoyed the dining company of two officers on other evenings.It was always a memorable meal and when I returned to the main lounge bar after the meal there was always the coffee and delicious chocolates set out on a table.
The best feature of the ship,which is privately owned by an Italian family is the insistence of arriving as a passenger and leaving as a friend.
I always book on board for the following year and in 2018 I will cruise on the smaller Silver Whisper for my annual luxury cruise on this outstanding line. Read Less

Silverseas cruise line is one of our favorite and our recent cruise on the Silver Spirit once again was proof to us of Silverseas excellence. Our Mediterranean cruise from 5/31/17 thru June 7th 2017 provided us with a lifetime of memory ... Read More

Silverseas cruise line is one of our favorite and our recent cruise on the Silver Spirit once again was proof to us of Silverseas excellence. Our Mediterranean cruise from 5/31/17 thru June 7th 2017 provided us with a lifetime of memory and the crew of Silverseas played a major role in ensuring a memorable time. Our vacation started out rocky due to a mishap with British Airways meltdown and lost luggage. We had planned three days in Rome prior to the start of our cruise and we were left without luggage so when we boarded our cruise we had no luggage and limited clothing . Of course it was not the way we wanted to start our cruise but the Silversea crew came roaring to our rescue! Priscilla the Guest Relations Manager, Marlon our butler and Gracie our maid and so many others were absolutely wonderful to us. Priscilla was compassionate and understanding and arranged for a crew member to come to our suite and was able to provide me with shirts, slacks, t-shirts, dress shirts etc so that we could enjoy the cruise in comfort. Priscilla and her crew truly only wanted our happiness and wanted us to enjoy our time with Silversea and went above and beyond for us and for that I give this cruise-line and the Silver Spirit a 5 diamond rating!!
The ship itself was very nice and the food, entertainment and accommodation were great. We did find the excursions to be a bit cramped for time and some of the excursion guides were difficult to understand but overall the excursions were adequate in terms of guidance the excursion locations were wonderful. The only other negative we would have is that our experience with the Silver Whisper on a prior cruise was a bit more intimate and the embarkation process on the Silver Spirit was a bit sloppy and not as memorable compared to our previous experience. But we would like to thank Priscilla the Guest Relations Manager, Marlon our butler, Gracie our maid and Miles the cruise director and all of the Silversea staff for a wonderful experience, these crew members work very long and hard hours to ensure our comfort and happiness and they deserve outstanding recognition. We will return! Read Less

Our friends, who are regulars, asked us to try a cruise with them and what a fabulous time we had. We appreciated the smaller ship and of course all the amenities. The crew was wonderful from the very outset and having a butler to supply ... Read More

Our friends, who are regulars, asked us to try a cruise with them and what a fabulous time we had. We appreciated the smaller ship and of course all the amenities. The crew was wonderful from the very outset and having a butler to supply anything we wanted, was a real highlight. The food was wonderful and we had such a great time poolside at The Grill, that we ate there 3 times in a week. Dining at La Tarraza, as we sailed from the port, was truly an unforgettable experience. My spouse has gluten allergies which can be a tough ordeal when traveling, but Silver Seas really impressed us. Each of the restaurants had multiple offerings and let me brag again on the butler. He brought a gluten free lunch to go for each shore excursion, which proved to be invaluable and removed the stress of finding an appropriate lunch location. Read Less

We have sailed Silversea's before and switched to Crystal. Decided to try the Silver Spirit since we had not sailed her before. The ship is beautiful and the service from all crew members was excellent. However, we missed a few ... Read More

We have sailed Silversea's before and switched to Crystal. Decided to try the Silver Spirit since we had not sailed her before. The ship is beautiful and the service from all crew members was excellent. However, we missed a few things that we enjoyed on prior Silversea voyages. There was no Galley Brunch, no live music on the pool deck, and not much fanfare as we left ports. Also, there used to be two shows in the evening. Now, the only show starts around 9:45 PM. For early diners, the gap is too long and there is very little to do while waiting for the show. The Supper Club concept sounded fascinating and romantic but was a huge disappointment. The food was not good, the room was half empty and the "Supper Club" ambience was lacking. Seishin had sushi on the menu but was actually a variety of pre-made rolls that were very heavy on rice and skimpy on fish. After Silk Road on Crystal, this was another huge disappointment for sushi fans. Champagne lived up to its hype. Great food and excellent service. A truly special dining experience. Overall, we enjoyed the cruise and will likely continue sailing with Silversea, but it isn't quite as special as it was 10 years ago.
PS: The wi-fi is rediculously frustrating. At these rates, everyone should have wi-fi 24/7 anywhere on board. Read Less

Breakfast and lunch selections were no different than what's served on Royal Caribbean--which is one fifth of the price of a Silversea cruise: way too much quantity and not enough quality.
Dinner is outstanding, but not in the same ... Read More

Breakfast and lunch selections were no different than what's served on Royal Caribbean--which is one fifth of the price of a Silversea cruise: way too much quantity and not enough quality.
Dinner is outstanding, but not in the same league as the food served on Oceania, Seabourn and Regent. The first two cruise lines we have experienced personally; many Silversea passengers told us about the superior food onboard Regent. The Silversea chef has done outstanding work with an obviously limited budget. This should not be the case given the cost for this cruise. Tuna, lobster, giant prawns, steaks and lamb chops should be offered on a regular basis. It's painfully obvious that Silversea is trying to save money, and only serve these items on request, or in the specialty restaurants where the portions (except for the Grill) are embarrassingly small, or where they are part of an appetizer.
More wines should be made available for each meal: not just one red and one white. Yes, others are available on request, but that shouldn't be required. They should be offered.
I did enjoy tea time but it is nothing like Oceania's. They make 5-8 truly creative and delicious full size desserts every day n Oceania. Same for dinner: only two desserts are offered for dessert on Silversea: that's way too few.
Bread is average, never served warm and the same in every dining venue.
Instead of the fancy china and pompous service in the speciality restaurants, how about better food? It's insulting and you're not fooling anyone.
Coffee could be better. You need to have filtered coffee available. Adding water to an expresso for an "Americano" tastes horrible. Also, The milk in the cappuccino was not frothed as it should have been.
Sushi did not look appetizing. The water needs to be wiped away from the fish as it defrosts.
The rolls in the sushi restaurant appear to be primarily rice--and that's what many diners told us: if sushi is too expensive, then don't offer it; but don't be cheap about it--not at the prices we pay for the cruise. The sushi on Oceania and Nobu on Crystal was far superior.
Internet: in this day and age the internet speed offered--even the "high speed"--was not acceptable. The internet on Royal Caribbean is faster than at my home! Why not on a premier cruise line like Silversea?
Service is outstanding and is superior to the competition.
We aren't retired like most guests, but we do eat the finest food available in New York City on a regular basis and expected the same on Silversea. We were disappointed.
We still had a great time. As I mentioned previously, all the staff are superb--and that counts for a great deal. We are not in any way angry or bitter; but we won't be taking another Silversea cruise in the future. Frankly, Oceania, Seabourn (and from what many passengers told us) Regent all have a better product.
I realize most of the focus of my comments are on food. First off, it is a major part of cruising. Secondly, its tangible. Are you offering cheap pork chops, or expensive lamb chops; cheap Atlantic salmon or expensive Japanese tuna?
As for other aspects of the cruise: expeditions, entertainment, room size and amenities, and so forth, we haven't found many differences among the top cruise lines.
Better and more recent movies in room would have been nice in case there were rainy days etc.
The indoor ping pong table was great. Same for complimentary laundry on each floor. Outstanding!
The gym was similar to many other cruise lines.
Casino staff were great. Trivia was also great.
Didn't do much onboard shopping--can't comment.
Excursions, tendering, on and off boarding: no complaints. Read Less

Food and facilities were generally excellent. Terraza was a bit hit and miss - excellent the first time and not so good the second time. Sushi Restaurant was great - first timer for sushi and I loved it.. Stars Supper Club has the ... Read More

Food and facilities were generally excellent. Terraza was a bit hit and miss - excellent the first time and not so good the second time. Sushi Restaurant was great - first timer for sushi and I loved it.. Stars Supper Club has the potential to be excellent (great music and ambiance) but food wasn't quite up to scratch. Stars has a tapas/small plate menu, so each morsel has to be perfect and they really weren't. The Grill has excellent steak and shrimp. The main Restaurant was great every night. Wine selections could not have been better - if we didn't like the daily selection we asked for others and got them at no extra charge.
Service was excellent in some areas but not so good in others. Passengers want personal service from crew and now that they have to use iPads in the dining areas for food orders the personal service and interaction has been removed. I think the iPads affected the level of service. Use the iPads away from the customer - After you have taken the order. Read Less

Since it was my first time in a cruiser, I find it difficult to make a comparison.
Our butler Dorothy and our room service Hilda were perfect. They did their best to make us comfortable and to meet our wishes. Other crew members were ... Read More

Since it was my first time in a cruiser, I find it difficult to make a comparison.
Our butler Dorothy and our room service Hilda were perfect. They did their best to make us comfortable and to meet our wishes. Other crew members were also friendly and easy to talk to.
Two of the 8 restaurants onboard did not meet our expectations and we went only once in each. The other ones were excellent. In one of them we had live music with a very good singer. She performed a tasteful repertoire.
Unfortunately, I attended only one of the night shows and it was not what I expected. The singer had a good voice but used a lot of playback, which I found disappointing. When he played with the Silversea Trio, then it was good.
All in all, I hope to take one or more cruises with Silversea in the near future! Read Less

I have just returned from 10 days of the most relaxing holiday on the Spirit. Nothing is too much trouble for the crew. The ship did not feel crowded at any time and we met very interesting people.
The ship is in great condition and ... Read More

I have just returned from 10 days of the most relaxing holiday on the Spirit. Nothing is too much trouble for the crew. The ship did not feel crowded at any time and we met very interesting people.
The ship is in great condition and the suites are very clean and a good size. The different pillow options are perfect as DH cannot sleep without a hard pillow, and the bed is a good size. I loved the Bulgari shampoo, conditioner and body wash they provide. The hairdryer had good power I have long hair and it was absolutely fine. The fact that the mini bar is stocked with whatever you want I had champagne and DH wanted G&T which they made sure fresh lime and lemon slices were in the fridge daily.
The food choice is outstanding, we booked all the restaurants and enjoyed them all. Room service is 24 hours and also included. The bar staff will make any cocktail you request, there is a cocktail menu but my favourites were not on the list but it was no bother they just made them – and they are all included in the price. Internet for an hour for each passenger was free per day, but there are packages that can be purchased for faster or longer periods.
The only negative is that I had to come home, but we certainly will return Read Less

Having not sailed Silver Seas for some years it was with some interest we ventured back having sailed with Regent the past four times over the past year. For space this ship really is hard to beat almost like a private sailing on ... Read More

Having not sailed Silver Seas for some years it was with some interest we ventured back having sailed with Regent the past four times over the past year. For space this ship really is hard to beat almost like a private sailing on occasions.
A downside is being advised what to wear in the evenings ,I much prefer the Regent and Seabourn "country club casual" which in addition to being much more comfortable saves on packing space. The other down side is the charging for a couple of restaurants,on premium ships like this it should not be the case and unlike Regent unless you are hot off the blocks and make reservation months in advance even paying you wont get in as the regulars seem to book in even if they want to eat in them or not. The supper club idea really dosen't work and thought should be given as to what this could be turned into ,clearly dosen't work as it was empty most of the time with very few repeat visits.
The transportation in most ports is wonderful and the agents used on this sailing all top class.
The entertainment was all a bit samey with singers on every night nearly although doing different themes,no band to sing to taped soundtracks ,just one of my personal hates ,hire musicians!!
Food in the main was fine ,again in my view a notch below Regent ,although the anytime dining menu was available in the dining room they don't really remind you of that. Special dishes can be requested normally 24hour before which is nice and they aim to please.
On this cruise so much time was spent in port that sea watching happened rarely !
Sliver Spiirt is a fine ship offering a fine vacation ,but my personal favourite line is still Regent by a small measure. Read Less

For our first cruise we selected SilverSea based on reviews we'd seen on a lot of sites, but specifically Cruise Critic, plus recommendations from friends who had sailed with Silversea before. We selected this 7 night cruise because ... Read More

For our first cruise we selected SilverSea based on reviews we'd seen on a lot of sites, but specifically Cruise Critic, plus recommendations from friends who had sailed with Silversea before. We selected this 7 night cruise because we were spending a few days in Tuscany prior to departure and Rome was a great embarkation point for us. In addition, we liked the idea of sailing north through the ports selected for this voyage, ending in Barcelona.
We found our itinerary to be a little daunting, as we visited numerous Tuscan towns over 4 - 5 days and then spent a full day with a guide in Rome. Yet, the Rome Cavalieri hotel that SilverSea used was fantastic, in every way. Comfortable room, excellent dining, and a great location, not to mention their fantastic service attitude.
Regarding the cruise itself, first we found SilverSea's organization to be incredible. Just the act of getting so many people organized and bused to and from the ship was a challenge that they've definitely figured out how to navigate. Onboarding was easy and even the initial muster drill was a bit of a lark. Onboard, the organization continued to be excellent with most questions a traveler would have being answered before you even asked.
Our Veranda Suite was roomy and comfortable, and the service provided by our butler and the maid were timed perfectly and delivered with, again, great attitudes. Point in fact, we found the attitude of all staff members on the Silver Spirit to be enthusiastic and pleasant.
Food in the restaurants was excellent. We visited all the normal, standard restaurants (La Terraza, The Restaurant, The Pool Grill), as well as Sheishin and La Champagne. One suggestion might help and that would be to expand the menu at the pool grill. It seemed a bit limited, although what was offered was normally very good.
Ports of call were interesting. As this was our first cruise we only chose to use the "included" excursions and realize now that we might have enjoyed being off ship better if we had chosen some more select outings. The standard excursions began rather early in the day for us and were really dependent on the quality of the local guides and some mediocre listening devices. In our case, several were mainly average and one, at Porto Mahon, was outstanding. A suggestion for Silver Sea might be to schedule one or two of the included excursions a bit later in the day.
One other comment on the excursions. In one instance we had chosen "Medieval Lucca" as our excursion. Unfortunately, on the day we visited the annual Comics & Games Festival was being held in Lucca, which caused the city to be overrun by costumed characters and limited our ability to see the town. I do know that one tour group was given the option of leaving and visiting Pisa instead. In another instance, we visited Monaco and Monte Carlo on a day that the Banks were closed, as were many of the local shops. I'm sure SilverSea was aware of these two situations and might have offered options in advance.
Overall, however, we still think this was an outstanding experience for us and we will certainly consider sailing with SilverSea again. Read Less

I love photography and choose my destinations based upon the best opportunities to practice my hobby. Having recently lost my husband I needed an easy way to travel to a variety of locations on my own. Silversea was offering a ... Read More

I love photography and choose my destinations based upon the best opportunities to practice my hobby. Having recently lost my husband I needed an easy way to travel to a variety of locations on my own. Silversea was offering a sensational single supplement and I always wanted to visit Rome and Barcelona, so it was the perfect solution. I was a little worried I would stick out like a sore thumb. At the last minute a friend decided to join me, so I wasn't alone after all. During the cruise there were so many friendly people I realized that it would have been fine even on my own.
My main reason for going was to see the two cities, Rome and Barcelona. Neither of them were included in the tours from the ship, so I opted to stay three nights at either end. On the recommendation of a friend who is a travel agent, we booked the Rose Garden Palace in Rome and the Majestic in Barcelona, both excellent choices. In both cities we did the Hop-on/Hop-off busses, which were extremely helpful in getting an overview of both cities. Of course, we have only barely scratched the surface of all the places we visited. I especially fell in love with Barcelona. Back home now, I have plans to stay there for a month as soon as I retire.
This is my third cruise. The previous two were with my husband, also on small luxury, all inclusive lines: Renaissance (before they went out of business), Athens to Istanbul and Regent, Sydney to Auckland. How does Silversea compare? I'll break it down:
Embarkation was extremely fast. We did arrive at the ship quite early so we missed the crowd. Disembarkation took longer. They called luggage tag colors by groups and we were one of the last groups called.
Decor: It was a little too "brown" and traditional for my taste. I am drawn more to a cleaner, more modern look. But it was really very nice overall.
Food: We started out with lunch on the pool deck waiting for our room on the first day and had to send our food back. My "steak" was raw (I asked for med rare) and when they brought it back it was well done. My roommate's meatball sliders had a really odd taste to them and she didn't eat them. I was a little worried by that first experience, but it definitely improved as dinner that night was sensational at Seishin. Dinners at the Supper Club and La Terazza were not as good. But we ate twice at Hot Rocks and loved it! The food on Regent was better.
Tours: We only did the included tours, which mainly consisted of a bus racing through the countryside with a nonstop narration by the tour guide. Many people I talked to said there was too much talking. It because exhausting over a several hour bus ride. They really should stop once in a while to let us enjoy the scenery, instead of plying us with the minutiae of historical facts. As a photographer I found it frustrating because we were driving so fast it's amazing I got any photos at all. There were very few stops along the way for photos. In Monaco, my roommate got nauseated because of all the twists and turns in the hills. Once at our destinations I didn't join the group, I wandered around on my own to take pictures.
Service: Exemplary. Our butler, Kerley, was willing to do anything and helped us to get reservations at Hot Rocks when they were full. She cleaned the outside of our luggage the day before disembarcation. She served us breakfast in our room every morning. She kept asking us to use her for anything. When we asked for vodka and wine in our room she made sure it was stocked with whatever we asked. Tips were included in the package, but we gave her an envelope on the last day. She was trying to refuse, but we insisted. Everyone else on the ship was very nice and helpful.
Passengers: At first I was worried I would be surrounded by "rich" people, lol, which I am not. At our hotel in Rome we met two women, a mother and grown daughter traveling together, who were also coming on our same cruise. We hit it off right away and all the other passengers we met were extremely friendly and just like us.
Entertainment: We were too tired at night to go to any of the productions except one: a lone singer who was really bad. In fact, we were embarrassed because our eyes kept falling shut. We decided if we came back we'd sit in the back so we could slip out, but that opportunity didn't arise.
Would I recommend the cruise to others? It depends on who I am talking to. I didn't recommend it to my younger brother and his wife because I felt it was too quiet and almost deserted much of the time. Even I would have liked it to be a bit more lively. There were many empty chairs at the pool area and other common areas were almost deserted. The theater was less than 1/4 full. It definitely would appeal more to the older crowd. That said, we did have an absolutely wonderful time and will enjoy reliving the trip through my photos. I posted these on another thread, but if you with to see a condensed version of them, they are here: https://goo.gl/photos/tuZNEK5FGxHZLQy77 Read Less

This year was my 20th cruise with Silversea on board four of the present five ships and my 11th cruise on Silver Spirit,which is the largest of the fleet-Silver Muse next year is slightly larger and launched in April.Silver Spirit has a ... Read More

This year was my 20th cruise with Silversea on board four of the present five ships and my 11th cruise on Silver Spirit,which is the largest of the fleet-Silver Muse next year is slightly larger and launched in April.Silver Spirit has a maximum of 540 guests although the two cruises back to back were not full.I travelled to Rome airport via Frankfurt from Manchester and transferred to the ship at Civitavecchia and Embarkation was quick and smooth with the issue of the essential cruise card.I boarded straight away and met my butler Rahul who took me to my suite and introduced me to the facilities.These included a variety of soaps,pillows,drinks for my cocktail cabinet and the layout of the suite,which I knew well.There is a separate shower unit in the bathroom,cloakroom,large queen bed,lounge area with settee,armchair,writing desk complete with personalised writing paper,adequate cupboard,drawer and shelf space and a safe.There is an verandah with table and two chairs where I had breakfast on the morning we were anchored off Sorrento.
A safety drill took place prior to departure with all passengers introduced to their life jackets and boat stations.
The first dinner was one of many in the Main Restaurant with my usual waiter Lorenz who presented me with a varied menu-I went off menu for the first night-accompanied by my choice of wines.The meals were all the very best standard and presentation.
There were other restaurants on the ship,some of which were select and an extra cost.I usually had breakfasts in the La Terrazza buffet with a choice of being outside with the views of the ports of call.
The ship has two regular leisure activities for which prize points were available-exchanged for items at the cruise end.These were the regular Trivia Quiz conducted by cruise director Moss Hills and the golf putting competition on the carpet.These were always fun to be involved with and I also tried the daily paper Silver Quiz again for points.
Entertainment included a series of lectures on space travel and an evening presentation in the show lounge by the Six Voices of Silversea.The show I enjoyed the most was the operatic evening with some excellent singing and costumes.There was also the Silver Spirit Trio in the main bar area and this was followed by a pianist who accompanied pre dinner and after dinner drinks-the ship is fully inclusive of all drinks and gratuities.
There is a swimming pool,three whirlpools and pool bar as well as a fully equipped Spa of which treatments and the thermal spa are extra,inclusive of a small whirlpool,hot seats,sauna,steam room and covered area.
There is nearly one crew member to each guest and Captain Pontillo pointed out at the Reception that passengers come as guests and leave as friends.I have had the pleasure of sailing with him before.During my cruise there were four formal nights and the others were either Informal or Casual.There is a casino,upmarket boutique,large library,internet café and a helpful shore concierge.
There was a good variety of ports of call including Mykonos,Kusadasi,Chania,Agios Nikolaos,Malta & Gozo,Rhodes,Trapani Sicily,Santorini,Patmos,Marmaris and Nafplion.I have visited many of the ports on previous cruises and had no need to book coach excursions available:I was happy enough to walk around the ports and visit churches and museums.The only drawback on some days was the extreme heat - sometimes up to 38deg.
It was easy to make friends who came from many nationalities and of course the crew also became our friends:knowing our names within hours of boarding.It has always been a great pleasure to travel with Silversea and I already look forward to being on Silver Spirit again in June 2017.This I book on board with the cruise consultant as there are discounts for guests who have cruised for over 100 days - I have now reached nearly 200 days.
Disembarkation was no trouble and transfer to Athens airport with my flight to Heathrow and onwards to Manchester:all arranged by Silversea. Read Less

Sailed on Silversea for the first time in June, 2016. LOVED everything about our experience.
Embarkation was a bit disjointed for us. My husband had written the wrong cabin number on our luggage tags and so it was delivered to the ... Read More

Sailed on Silversea for the first time in June, 2016. LOVED everything about our experience.
Embarkation was a bit disjointed for us. My husband had written the wrong cabin number on our luggage tags and so it was delivered to the wrong cabin, which was empty, so this took a several hours to figure out. We were concerned about our missing luggage for the first evening. The customer relations manager was wonderful and kept us updated and ultimately, was able to deliver the good news that our luggage was found. We didn't really properly meet our butler due to the luggage concern. He did meet us and introduce himself, but since the focus was on finding our luggage, the rest (choice of toiletries, pillows, other types of discussions) were missed. Again, this was likely due to my husband's error and the focus on our luggage.
The cabin was perfect for us, as was the balcony. Our Butler, Vipin, was so polite and professional. He very quickly learned our preferences and helped to make our cruise just perfect for us. Our cabin was kept spotless without our even noticing. They cleaned or changed towels, turned down the bed, etc. only when we left the cabin. Not sure how they managed this, but it was wonderful.
Restaurants: We loved the food on this cruise. We had breakfast and lunch at La Terrazza with beautiful views each day and never went elsewhere. The buffet choices were plenty and varied daily and the food was great. For dinner, we tried every restaurant with the exception of Stars Supper Club, which we missed. Our least favorites were the 2 speciality restaurants, Le Champagne and Seishin. They were good, but honestly we enjoyed the included restaurants more. In the future, we will skip the specialty restaurants on this cruise line. My favorite restaurant for dinner was, once again, La Terrazza. Delicious pasta, lovely setting, and even a beautiful sunset view one evening. My husband loved the hot rocks concept at the Grill and we ate there 3 times during our stay. Dinner was delicious there every time and the service always perfect. We did also eat at the Restaurant a couple of times. The food, and especially the waiters (Ali and Renato) were wonderful.
The bar on deck 5 was our favorite place to spend time before dinner and the bar staff there are incredible in every way. Rex, Fred, and the 3 Ronalds are the absoulte best. They were upbeat, friendly, polite, fun, etc., etc. We could go on and on. They remembered our names and our drink preferences from the first night and were simply great people to be around.
The entertainment: We only took advantage of the cooking demonstration during the sea day, and this was wonderful. The chef was great and also so nice and entertaining and the wine tasting and discussion very interesting. We never attended anything else, so we cannot comment, but we did enjoy spending time in the lounge with the piano player.
The excursions were phenomenal. The ports we visited included: Rome, Sorrento, Trapani, Malta & Gozo, Chania, Santorini, Kusadasi, Mykonos, and Athens. All were wonderful and the guides all very knowledgeable and helpful. Our favorite, if we had to choose one, would be Kusadasi. The day in Ancient Ephesus was unforgettable.
Disembarkation was easy, even with a labor strike in Greece. Due to the strike there were no porters available, but we never would have known it. I'm sure the crew worked extra hard to make this such a smooth and easy process. Really wonderful service.
Pre and post hotel arrangements and transfers were great as well. Especially the hotel in Rome. Absolutely beautiful way to begin our trip.
All in all, had a wonderful time and would be so happy for another opportunity to sail with Silversea!!!! Read Less

We've been on more than 30 cruises on most lines, including several on Silversea and we always find that Siversea provides exceptional service, great food, and very high value. As soon as we arrived, we were reminded what sets ... Read More

We've been on more than 30 cruises on most lines, including several on Silversea and we always find that Siversea provides exceptional service, great food, and very high value. As soon as we arrived, we were reminded what sets Silversea apart -- the way they make you feel like family. We immediately saw crew (and other passengers) that we knew.
This particular cruise was part of a 18-day holiday, which began with a few days in Barcelona. We then joined Silversea for a 6-day journey from Barcelona to Rome (via southern France, Monaco, and Livorno). We then began this 8-day Silversea cruise from Rome to Barcelona, which was a great, a stroll through Italy, including the Amalfi coast, Sicily, and Sardinia, and then Menorca and Mallorca before heading back to Barcelona
Embarkation was a breeze. From the time we were dropped off until we were in our suite was perhaps 15 minutes and all of our luggage arrived within 30 minutes. Within minutes of entering our suite, our butler stopped by, introduced himself, and requested our preferences for bathroom products, fruit, and refrigerator items, which he passed along to the room steward. Thereafter, our suite was always perfectly stocked. Everything in our suite was in good condition, the bed was very comfortable, the pillows we requested were there on our arrival, there was sufficient drawer space and plenty of hangers in the walk-in closet and the balcony provided a nice private outdoor venue. We particularly like the bathroom setup with a tub and separate walk-in shower, the varied selection of bath products, and the well designed storage space. As a result, our suite was the oasis that one desires on a holiday - soothing surroundings, sufficient space, and comfortable furniture.
The food on Silversea is outstanding. We pre-booked our dining reservations well before the cruise began and had exactly what we wanted. The evening dining choices are varied - from the Le Champagne (the Relais & Chateaux French restaurant) to the Hot Rocks served outdoors -- there is something for everyone, no matter what your mood might be. We especially like the slow cook Italian served in La Terrazza in the evenings and Le Champagne (where the dover sole is outstanding). The main dining room is excellent and depending on one's mood there is Seishin, the Asian restaurant, and Star's supper club, which has wonderful jazz entertainment. Day time choices are equally varied with all of the venues except Star's being available. The buffet in La Terrazza is excellent with ever changing salads, fresh made pizza and pasta, and fresh sushi. Alternatively, there is always room service. Whatever the choice, the food is delicious. Where ever you choose to eat, the wine and bar service is quick and provides excellent options. Where the wine choices of the day were not to our taste, the staff ALWAYS found a wine that suited our palate that was included.
The public rooms are very well kept and, if you are looking for a place to read, work on puzzles or needlepoint, there are numerous places to enjoy including The Bar, Panorama, the Observation Lounge, the Library, covered outdoor seating, and the pool area. No matter where you settle, the staff was right there to meet every need - some before I realized a needed it.
In the evenings there are multiple entertainment options. There always is someone (either a trio, or piano player) in The Bar, live entertainment in the Panorama Lounge until it became the disco at about 10:00 each evening, a show of some sort in the Theater (from production shows to opera), and the jazz duo in Star's, Esther and Chantel, were wonderful. We were particularly pleased to learn that they would be aboard on our next cruise this December.
There were fewer enrichment activities on this cruise -- although the lectures (which are available for replay on the TV) were very informative -- but with a port every day, more enrichment activities were not needed. For those who opt to stay on the ship, there are daily activities -- from coffee chats with the entertainers, to daily trivia and puzzles, to classes in the gym, to on-demand movies in your suite. While I would rate the activities as "average", they were well done and appropriate given the port intensive itinerary. The shore excursions on this cruise were varied and plentiful. There were excursions that met every fitness level -- from biking and kayaking to bus tours. For those who want to chart their own course, the private tour option is very nice. While we did not partake of the private tour this cruise, we have in the past and found them to be excellent. As we did have an early flight, we arranged private transfer from the ship, disembarking at 7:30 am - everything went like clock work - the driver was there ahead of schedule, staff came to the suite to take our luggage to the waiting transport, and we arrived at the airport with time to spare.
The quality of the service, the outstanding food and wine, and the varied entertainment made this cruise a real value for the price we paid. The only thing Silversea could do to make the experience more enjoyable would be to send a staff member home with you so you could return to daily life more gradually. Read Less

Enjoyed the May 31st, 10 day cruise from Rome to Venice with some caveats. Embarkation was quick and DH and I had a lovely light lunch at the pool grill. Sail-away party was disappointing due to unresponsive servers at the pool grill. We ... Read More

Enjoyed the May 31st, 10 day cruise from Rome to Venice with some caveats. Embarkation was quick and DH and I had a lovely light lunch at the pool grill. Sail-away party was disappointing due to unresponsive servers at the pool grill. We had to hail waiters for canapés and for drinks being supposedly passed to all. Thankfully, our apprehensions as to service for the rest of the cruise were mostly put to rest. Most waiters were attentive, although a few carried a sour face and I assume were not very happy campers with their job, but, hey!, we are paying their wages.
The verandah cabin in deck #5 was very acceptable and quite comfortable. Our butler, who goes by Joy, was very affable, reliable, and we could tell he was always very busy. Our housekeeper was very efficient and cordial, as well.
We found the food to be very good with excellent quality ingredients. Contrary to the former reviewer, we found it under-salted! Of course, not everything was top notch all the time, but in general much to our liking. The complementary wines were on the low end side, but some were acceptable.
The entertainment at the show lounge consisted of the Voices of Silversea, a group of young, talented singers with good dance moves when required. We would like not to to see the British invasion so many times (in both SS and SB, I have to add). The entertainment could be improved with more variety; a comedian and professional dancers, perhaps?
This was a "transition" cruise to the new policy of included excursions for the Med cruises. There was a lack of organization in tender ports with regards to passengers lining up for tenders. I would recommend SS to clearly advertise in their itinerary brochure the SS tour tender times, in order that guests with private tours, or guests not wishing to tour, will not need to wait in line.
All being said, we had a lovely time, and met many nice and interesting passengers with whom we plan to keep in touch. We find that this cruise was good value for the money, and will continue to recommend SS to our friends.
Hope our observations are duly noted. Read Less